Tri-Series 2007 Game 12: England defeat New Zealand to earn finals berth
Although you wouldn't have picked it a week ago, tonight's game panned out exactly as I hoped as England defeated New Zealand by 14 runs to qualify for the Tri-Series finals against Australia. England were buoyed with the news that Michael Vaughan was back in the side. That is until he was bowled for a 2nd ball duck by Bond with a swinging yorker a la Plunkett on Gilchrist. More early wickets Bell and Joyce fell and a middle-order collapse looked imminent. However, Collingwood and Strauss rallied - Collingwood scored 106 and Strauss 55 (his highest score for the summer) - and amassed a defendable 7 for 270. It was a par score on a good batting pitch. Bond was the Black Cap's best taking 4 for 46 - let's hope his back injury isn't exacerbated by back to back games.
New Zealand's innings was a tense, seesawing run chase. They seemed to have the 270 total within their reach throughout the innings as Stephen Fleming played himself into a semblance of form, scoring 106. However, in the last 10 overs, they lost wickets at regular intervals and the run rate got away from them, finishing on 8 for 256. It sets up the rest of the summer nicely. The Black Caps get a week's rest to smooth out any niggles - hopefully they'll be full strength come the Chappell Hadlee trophy next week. They have played more consistently than England (but perhaps peaked too early) and it should be a competitive series given New Zealand are playing at home.
And on Friday, Australia get a final crack at England, hopefully removing any afterglow they might have from last week's victory. With luck, Pietersen will fly back to Australia to bolster their middle order. I don't hold out much hope of England taking the finals to a 3rd game in Brisbane but they are in (rare) good form at the moment so it should be entertaining cricket.
| Posted by JC on Tue 6 Feb |  20 comments |
Actually, Vaughan got a first ball duck... :p
Posted by Matt Thornton on 2007-02-07 00:59:52
Posted by Matt Thornton on 2007-02-07 00:59:52
What is the notion of peaking too early? Shouldn't a good team play consistently well throughout the year/tourney?
Posted by Amar on 2007-02-07 01:09:43
Posted by Amar on 2007-02-07 01:09:43
I wanted the Poms to win, but for the life of me I couldn't barrack for them last night. Now let's bring on the finals for one last assault on them!
I reckon an apology to Flintoff is in order. I've been bagging his captaincy skills all summer but after seeing the mode of his dismissal yesterday, we can put it all down to the fact he is not particularly bright! He deprived England of a 300 plus score by getting out to a ridiculous shot when there was absolutely no need, at that stage, to go the tonk. And immediately after having been dropped attempting the same thing. Within minutes of his walk back to the pavilion, there he was, munching on his dinner or some snack, seemingly oblivious to what had just transpired. Now there is no questioning the heart within the big fellow (witness his bowling effort), but MENSA material he ain't!!!!
Fleming seemed to run out of puff which meant maintaining the run chase was nigh on impossible.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-07 08:28:04
I reckon an apology to Flintoff is in order. I've been bagging his captaincy skills all summer but after seeing the mode of his dismissal yesterday, we can put it all down to the fact he is not particularly bright! He deprived England of a 300 plus score by getting out to a ridiculous shot when there was absolutely no need, at that stage, to go the tonk. And immediately after having been dropped attempting the same thing. Within minutes of his walk back to the pavilion, there he was, munching on his dinner or some snack, seemingly oblivious to what had just transpired. Now there is no questioning the heart within the big fellow (witness his bowling effort), but MENSA material he ain't!!!!
Fleming seemed to run out of puff which meant maintaining the run chase was nigh on impossible.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-07 08:28:04
Re Matt, well, legally yes although the first ball was a wide. You know what I mean! I bet you were one of those people that insisted the millennium turned on 2001, not 2000 :-)
Re Amar, well, ideally you should be playing your best cricket in the final. It's like swimmers doing their best times in the gold medal race. The way Australia tried to structure the Tri-Series (and the World Cup later) was to do heavy training in the early stages. It left them exhausted but supposedly had them physically peaking come final time. I dunno if its valid or not but trainers and coaches get all excited about words like 'peaking' and 'tapering'.
Re Dan, Flintoff's status as an allrounder might be in jeopardy. He's still England's best bowler but his batting has gone to pot this summer barring one match winning innings against New Zealand early in the tri-series.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 10:57:30
Re Amar, well, ideally you should be playing your best cricket in the final. It's like swimmers doing their best times in the gold medal race. The way Australia tried to structure the Tri-Series (and the World Cup later) was to do heavy training in the early stages. It left them exhausted but supposedly had them physically peaking come final time. I dunno if its valid or not but trainers and coaches get all excited about words like 'peaking' and 'tapering'.
Re Dan, Flintoff's status as an allrounder might be in jeopardy. He's still England's best bowler but his batting has gone to pot this summer barring one match winning innings against New Zealand early in the tri-series.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 10:57:30
Interesting read on peaking and tapering JC. They're probably trying to combat all those problems we were talking so much about earlier this year on how long a break away from international cricket can be before it becomes detrimental. The act is, Amar, that they don't play all year round (although as a fan I'm all for it -- we have enough players to play three or four different teams throughout the year at a high level).
By the way you have to ask where some of these 'second string' Pommie players have been hiding, especially when they are outperforming many of their Ashes peers.
Posted by TA on 2007-02-07 11:30:16
By the way you have to ask where some of these 'second string' Pommie players have been hiding, especially when they are outperforming many of their Ashes peers.
Posted by TA on 2007-02-07 11:30:16
It's a mystery TA. Plunkett, who I think has been with the touring party throughout, looks to have loads of potential. I was shocked last night to learn he is only in his very early 20's. And the little Irishman looks a player too.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-07 12:18:42
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-07 12:18:42
That was a horrendous game for England especially in bowling terms. Those openning overs were too painful to watch, plus the overthrows and just constant stuff ups in the field.
I think England need a decent bowling coach. It was funny when Harmisson did it, but now its just become embaressing for everyone. Even Tait isn't that bad.
I am hoping Pieterson is back, so we can see what a full strength English side can do, especially considering the way the Aussie play in final games.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-02-07 12:25:43
I think England need a decent bowling coach. It was funny when Harmisson did it, but now its just become embaressing for everyone. Even Tait isn't that bad.
I am hoping Pieterson is back, so we can see what a full strength English side can do, especially considering the way the Aussie play in final games.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-02-07 12:25:43
I didn't see England bowl as they didn't televise the second half of the game in Brisbane. But Plunkett's opening overs did sound pretty dodgy. The guy has potential - he bowled like a champion against Australia on Friday when he clean bowled Gilly first ball. Then he goes all shoddyline yesterday. England sorely miss Troy Cooley, methinks.
Re the second string England players, the theory goes that they haven't been "scarred" like the Test players. Thing is, if they keep cycling through their players, there won't be an Englishman left in the county system unscarred by Australia.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 13:28:05
Re the second string England players, the theory goes that they haven't been "scarred" like the Test players. Thing is, if they keep cycling through their players, there won't be an Englishman left in the county system unscarred by Australia.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 13:28:05
You reckon we'll see Parkinson lining up for a bowl next, do you? Wouldn't hurt to give him a run, not too much separating him and the keeper in terms of age.
Posted by TA on 2007-02-07 14:09:10
Posted by TA on 2007-02-07 14:09:10
LOL re Parko & Nixon. He's a genuine tragic, he seems to have stuck around for the whole series where many of the Barmy Army gave up in disgust and flew home early. Doesn't that guy have a TV show to run or something?
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 14:30:50
Posted by JC on 2007-02-07 14:30:50
Heard on the news that KP is not going to be back for the finals, and Vaughan apparently coming up sore and might not be playing.
The funniest thing is Fletcher telling everyone how its a "young" side with lots of potential.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-02-08 11:16:47
The funniest thing is Fletcher telling everyone how its a "young" side with lots of potential.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-02-08 11:16:47
A three-match one day series between Australia/India has just been announced which will take place in Ireland in June. Is it me, or is there not many test matches being played this year? I would definately prefer to see more tests.
Posted by Chris on 2007-02-08 12:13:51
Posted by Chris on 2007-02-08 12:13:51
We don't play another Test till November - any gap in the schedule is quickly stuffed with another one dayer. There's definitely not enough Tests and too many ODIs.
Re KP not playing in the final, I wonder if it was more likely if he'd stayed in Australia. I note Symonds is staying with the squad. KP has a bruised rib. Symonds had a bicep ripped off his shoulder bone. Seems to show the difference in level of commitment between the two teams.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-08 12:24:24
Re KP not playing in the final, I wonder if it was more likely if he'd stayed in Australia. I note Symonds is staying with the squad. KP has a bruised rib. Symonds had a bicep ripped off his shoulder bone. Seems to show the difference in level of commitment between the two teams.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-08 12:24:24
Some players like Ponting and Hussey seem to be able to play lots of ODIs and it doesnt affect their test form, however I suspect a few of the others are less motivated to play in ODIs and could benefit from more rests. Tournaments like the one in June could be won with players like Johnson, Tait, Hodge, Jacques etc. It would be best to make sure the experienced players are well prepared for tests and rotating more of these new guys through the ODI team would obviously be valuable to their development. To an extent this already happens but with this year's schedule I think they should do it more than ever before.
Posted by Chris on 2007-02-08 13:54:22
Posted by Chris on 2007-02-08 13:54:22
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